Although it is possible to forward pre-notified questions to the Constituency Manager in advance of this meeting, questions can also be asked on the night, via the Chair.  All questions will be collated and dealt with in turn by the Chair.

The Committee and members of the public in attendance at the meeting raised the following questions, issues, concerns and requests.

Question 1 Ms Susan Brown

Ms Brown raised the following query:

The Council’s publication, Wirral View, first circulated in October 2016 has not successfully reached every household in Wirral on a monthly basis, as was promised by local residents. She queried who is responsible for distribution and what would be done to rectify this issue She also commented how she had provided postcodes to Council Officers of areas affected. Councillor Adam Sykes also sought clarification on this issue.

In response, David Armstrong, Deputy Chief Executive explained that due to commercial sensitivity he could not discuss specific details of the contract, however, it has been made clear to the company that this is unacceptable and measures are being put in place to combat this.

Question 2 – Mr Abbas Hussain

Mr Hussain raised the following query:

A Budget Option that will be bought forward to the Cabinet and Council in Feb and March is to introduce car parking charges across Wirral. The proposal, if agreed included charging on street and in country parks. Mr Hussain queried if the impact on small business owners, such as himself had been considered and analysed. He also queried how many new parking wardens would be employed as a result.

David Armstrong responded by making clear that, at present, options are proposals and there is no guarantee that Cabinet Members will resolve to implement car parking charges. He explained that the options had been put forward by Officers as a means to raise revenue for the Council in light of the £41 million savings that must be made in the next financial year.

In response to a supplementary question, David Armstrong made clear to the Committee that no equipment such as parking meters had been ordered in advance of a decision being made. He also explained that, at present, there is a small budget in place, allocated to parking across the Borough, therefore if enhancements had been made in certain areas such as Royden Park, this budget will have been utilised.

Question 3 – Dr Elaine Roberts

Dr Roberts raised the following query:

Regarding the proposed car parking charges, clarity was sought as to whether a traffic impact assessment had been conducted. Concerns were also raised regarding the likelihood of residents beginning to park in residential areas causing road blockages. She also sought reassurance that the views of residents submitted in various letters, petitions would not be ignored. She also drew attention to letters from two local MPs opposing the proposals.

David Armstrong responded by stating comments raised had been mirrored by elected members and that all feedback would be collated and shared with Members and Officers.

Question 4 – Ms Laurel Parkinson

Ms L Parkinson raised the following query

In certain areas of the Wirral such as Thornton Hough broadband provision is notoriously slow and fibre optic is not available in the area. Clarity was sought over grants available as a means to improve this and if the Council are utilising this.

Councillor A Sykes, Ward Councillor for Clatterbridge informed the Committee that he had raised this issue with the appropriate Cabinet Member and had not yet received a response.

It was resolved that this issue would be chased up with the appropriate Cabinet Member.

Question 5 – Mr Mark Craig, Community Representative

Mr M Craig raised the following query

With regards to proposed car parking charges, Mr Craig advised that he had approached Bromborough Traders and they had voiced concerns particularly as they had already felt the impact of the Croft Retail Centre whereby car parking is free. He reiterated that a full impact assessment must be conducted in advance of proposals being implemented, should they be agreed.

In response, Councillor W Ward informed the Committee that he had moved a motion at a meeting of the Busines Overview and Scrutiny Committee as follows:

Minute 50 extract Business Overview and Scrutiny Committee -  24 January 2017

It was then moved by Councillor Ward, and seconded by Councillor Abbey –

“That this Committee requests officers to develop a full report which considers the impact on small businesses, traffic and the wider community to enable Councillors to fully scrutinise all aspects of the affects which may occur in an increase or implementation of parking charges.”

It was then moved as an amendment by Councillor Blakeley and seconded by Councillor Steve Williams, that –

“1.  Committee notes the numerous petitions of objection, totalling over 15,000 signatures to date.

2.   Committee notes the level of public anger and opposition to these proposals.

3.  Committee recognises the potential damage the introduction of car parking charges will do to the already struggling town centre shopping areas.

4.  Committee also recognises that charging for parking in Country Parks, with an estimated drop in usage of 30% of users will have a detrimental effect on public health.”

Question 6 – Mr David Bird

Mr D Bird raised the following query

With regards to Co-operatives a question was asked how the Council may improve contributions to Co-Ops given that there is no expense within the Council to set them up

Councillor Carubia informed that the Committee did not have the information to hand but would contact Mr Bird with an answer to his question.

Question 7 – Mr John Lack

Mr J Lack raised the following query

In regards to proposed car parking questions, concern was raised over the social impact with particular regard to issues of social isolation. He commented that in some circumstances, people will be paying just as much to park as they will to attend events.

A further comment was made by Kevin Sutton, Community Representative that business will be greatly affected and that residents will be forced to park on residential streets.